It is to enter the lunar orbit on Aug. 20
The Chandrayaan-2 lunar lander-orbiter was on Wednesday set on course to exit earth’s gravity as it began a seven-day journey to the moon in the wee hours, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.
The spacecraft, which was launched on July 22, is scheduled to reach the vicinity of the moon on August 20. Engineers at ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru raised the orbit of the spacecraft for the sixth and last time on the earth side. The 20-minute operation was carried out at 2.21 a.m. by firing the spacecraft’s engine.
“With this, Chandrayaan-2 entered the Lunar Transfer Trajectory,” ISRO said in a statement. “Earlier, the spacecraft’s orbit was progressively increased five times during July 23 to August 6. All systems on board Chandrayaan-2 spacecraft are normal,” the space agency added.
The spacecraft carries lander Vikram and rover Pragyan on it. The mission is the country’s first lunar soft-landing attempt and would also be the first-ever arrival on the moon’s southern polar region by any country.
Vikram is slated to touch down on the moon on September 7.